Court says Miami relatives' can't visit Elian
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court today denied a request by Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez for visits with him or for an outside guardian. The court accepted instead the government's offer of regular reports from a psychiatrist and a social worker.

Court says Miami relatives' can't visit Elian
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court today denied a request by Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez for visits with him or for an outside guardian. The court accepted instead the government's offer of regular reports from a psychiatrist and a social worker.

Study says good child care can prevent crime
WASHINGTON (AP) - The best child care can keep children from getting into trouble and committing crimes later in life, says research presented at the White House by law enforcement groups today.

Study says good child care can prevent crime
WASHINGTON (AP) - The best child care can keep children from getting into trouble and committing crimes later in life, says research presented at the White House by law enforcement groups today.

911 simulator donated to police, firefighters
State Farm Insurance agents donated a 911 Simulator to Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department. Both the police and fire departments have programs in place to teach children 911 safety.

911 simulator donated to police, firefighters
State Farm Insurance agents donated a 911 Simulator to Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department. Both the police and fire departments have programs in place to teach children 911 safety.

Students score high at debate contest
Juneau-Douglas High School closed out its season with its strongest showing ever at the State Debate Tournament held in Anchorage recently. The JDHS debate team finished in second place overall in the 4-A team debate awards, being barely edged out of the top honor by Chugiak High School of Anchorage. This year's topic concerned improving the performance of students in our nation's secondary schools.

Best bets
An unbelievable amount of music and entertainment is in store for May, and this weekend is the warm-up.

Students score high at debate contest
Juneau-Douglas High School closed out its season with its strongest showing ever at the State Debate Tournament held in Anchorage recently. The JDHS debate team finished in second place overall in the 4-A team debate awards, being barely edged out of the top honor by Chugiak High School of Anchorage. This year's topic concerned improving the performance of students in our nation's secondary schools.

Commissioners may get $9k raise
A labor bill the Senate Finance Committee passed Thursday would give commissioners of state departments raises of about $9,000 a year -- but not until the next governor takes office.

Ferry funds may be restored
The full House should be taking up the billion-dollar capital budget bill today.
Republicans tout the measure as meeting their budget goals, while Democratic minorities in the House and Senate say the bill's public-works spending doesn't address Alaska's needs.

Commissioners may get $9k raise
A labor bill the Senate Finance Committee passed Thursday would give commissioners of state departments raises of about $9,000 a year -- but not until the next governor takes office.

3-copter crash relived on cable
A re-enactment of last September's helicopter crashes on a local glacier will air Friday and Saturday on the cable Discovery Channel.

Search for heritage in cave
The archaeological interns put the sediment in bags of mosquito netting, soak them, knead them to work out the silt, then dry the remaining dirt and pick through the fine grains.

Contract cut pitched
Senate leaders have indirectly laid their offer to state workers on the table, and it's about $20 million smaller than the deal Gov. Tony Knowles' administration negotiated with them.

Union OKs limit
The largest of the state employees' unions has agreed to a change in one of its contract terms.

Ferry funds may be restored
The full House should be taking up the billion-dollar capital budget bill today.
Republicans tout the measure as meeting their budget goals, while Democratic minorities in the House and Senate say the bill's public-works spending doesn't address Alaska's needs.

Contract cut pitched
Senate leaders have indirectly laid their offer to state workers on the table, and it's about $20 million smaller than the deal Gov. Tony Knowles' administration negotiated with them.

Search for heritage in cave
The archaeological interns put the sediment in bags of mosquito netting, soak them, knead them to work out the silt, then dry the remaining dirt and pick through the fine grains.

The economics of gay marriages
I haven't been surprised at how many letters and Word of Mouth phone calls have appeared in the Empire regarding the recent decision by the Vermont legislature to permit gay marriages. What I don't understand is why gay marriage bothers so many people. I mean, it's not for me, but neither do I see it as any sort of threat. I know that some religions oppose same-sex marriages, but some religions also oppose dancing. Not that government policies should ever be based on religion, but I am aware of no regulations prohibiting dancing. Why should there be regulations outlawing same-sex marriages?

Contracts shouldn't be a political football
So here's the scenario: The Knowles administration spends months and months negotiating new contracts with state employees. The unions representing those employees agree to the terms. It appears the House is leaning toward approving them. Senate leaders, however, let it be known they're not crazy about the contracts and counteroffer, sort of. Union reps say ``no way'' and are willing to walk if the Senate doesn't approve what's on the table.

Contracts shouldn't be a political football
So here's the scenario: The Knowles administration spends months and months negotiating new contracts with state employees. The unions representing those employees agree to the terms. It appears the House is leaning toward approving them. Senate leaders, however, let it be known they're not crazy about the contracts and counteroffer, sort of. Union reps say ``no way'' and are willing to walk if the Senate doesn't approve what's on the table.

The economics of gay marriages
I haven't been surprised at how many letters and Word of Mouth phone calls have appeared in the Empire regarding the recent decision by the Vermont legislature to permit gay marriages. What I don't understand is why gay marriage bothers so many people. I mean, it's not for me, but neither do I see it as any sort of threat. I know that some religions oppose same-sex marriages, but some religions also oppose dancing. Not that government policies should ever be based on religion, but I am aware of no regulations prohibiting dancing. Why should there be regulations outlawing same-sex marriages?

Aggressive Crimson Bears blank Ketchikan
It was a non-conference game, but that didn't stop the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears softball team from playing aggressive in its 10-0 victory over the Ketchikan Kings Thursday night at Melvin Park.

Aggressive Crimson Bears blank Ketchikan
It was a non-conference game, but that didn't stop the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears softball team from playing aggressive in its 10-0 victory over the Ketchikan Kings Thursday night at Melvin Park.